WAYS TO IMPROVE FINE MOTOR SKILLS

Birth to One Year

During baby's first year of life, they're going to develop variety of fine motor skills. A newborn
typically contains a primitive hand grasp and by 2 months old they will try to hold a rattle when
it's placed in their hand. Trying to crawl using arms. By 6 months old, babies can typically hold
one block in two hands. At 9 months, try to hold small things and by 12 months old can hold a
bottle, a food bowl or a cup.
One to five Years
At 18 months old, babies can insert different shapes into toys. They start to eat by themselves
with their fingers and scribble with a crayon on wall. Trying to push and open the doors. While
sitting or standing, the arms lift. As preschoolers approach they're perfecting their drawing skills.
They must be able to copy a cross also as draw. They are learning to tear paper and might dress
themselves but should struggle with buttoning buttons. By the time a baby is 5 years old, they
must be able to draw perfectly. They are likely more proficient at holding a pencil using the
tripod position and may color between the lines. Kids this age also should be ready to wash and
dry their hands thoroughly.
OTHER WAYS
 Toys and Games
Toys develop fine motor skills for infants and toddlers. For school-aged children, puzzles or
board games with pieces (like chess, carom) are ideal for developing these skills. Jenga puzzles
could be a strategy game using fine motor skills that focus on the pincher grip, which is useful
for writing.
 Drawing and Coloring
Child practice their fine motor skills by drawing with different art materials (sketch, color
pencils). Drawings needn't be perfect, and scribbling is simply fine for developing fine motor
skills.
 Crafts
Paper-cutting activities build skills and muscle control and might be as simple or complex as you
want them to be. Beginners can start with cutting out paper chains and make more complex
projects. Older kids can try origami, it is a fun paper-folding art. Use sand paper, form sheet, or
other decorative papers to make origami shapes.
 Play-dough or clay
Tactile play with good old favorite materials like play-dough could be a good way for youths to
experiment and build fine motor skills. To form this even more interesting you'll make the play-
dough together with your child first before they play with it.
 For adults
Folding clothes (wash cloths, socks), exercise or gym, cooking and other daily routine
might improve their motor skills.